Mirror device



Nov. 1, 1938. D. E. REED 2,135,145

MIRROR DEVICE Filed June 19, 1957 INVENTOR DAN/EL E. EEED ATTORNEY Patented Nov.

' UNI ED STATES PATENT OFF! kee Metal Products corporation of New Yor Application June 19,

7 Claims.

My invention relates to a mirror device, and more particularly to means for mounting a rear view mirror on a It is an object of the vehicle.

invention to provide a mirror device which may be readily associated with a hinge of a Heretofore it has been rear view mirrors vehicle door.

proposed to associate with vehicle doors. However,

most of these previous proposals included a special 0 type clamp disadvantage sometimes of being which had the loosened by viwith a screw,

bration, and falling from the car.

. It is an object of the vide amounting whereby the mirror may be associated with the door and may be more in a most simple manner positively secured in association with the door. and eifectiveiyadjustedto divers positions th developed.

an with mountings heretofore the vehicle door, tioning of the mirror to divers eye heights and thus enabling a proper posienabling adjustment of the mirrorto reflect the desired area at the rear of the vehicle. I

A further feature of the invention resides in providing a mirror otally connected to the mirror may be vehicle door hinge device with a hinge pin pivthe mirror support, whereby readily associated with the bymerely substituting the hinge pin of the present mirror device forthe regular'hinge pintle,

and when so associated the mirror may be raised and lowered and otherwise positioned relative to the .vehicle door.

Another feature providing a means abling the associa of various sizes so of the invention resides in on themirror support ention therewith of binge pins that the manufacturer need make only one mirror and support and provide two, three or four simple pins to insure that the same mirror device may be readily used with many vehicles of Another feature providing a mirror vehicle door hinge different manufacture.

of the invention resides in device for association with a in which the support is extensible and in which the support is associated with the mirror by otal connection, located eccentrically of the mir- 1 ror, whereby the divers positions relative to the support.

Other objects an pear.

In the drawing:

a substantially universal pivmirror may be adjusted in d features will hereinafter appresent invention to pro- Quip Norwalk, Conn, a

1937, Serial No. 149,049 (0]. 248286) Figure 1 is a side view of the mirror devicein I operative association with a vehicle door hinge, the device being disclosed in divers adjusted positions.

Fig. 2 is a detail view showing the mirror in a number of the adjusted positions made possible by the eccentric pivotal mounting of the mirror on the support. a v I Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the universal pivotal connection between the mirror and the support.

.Fig. 4 is an exploded detail'view showing several hinge pins of difierent sizes and the cap by means of which the mirror support may be pivotally connected to any one of the pins.

Figs. 5', 6 and 7 are detail views showing a modified hinge pin construction.

Fig. 8 is a detail view showing 'a modified clamping means for associating the mirror device with a vehicle door hinge.

Before describing the present improvements and mode of operation thereof in detail it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawing, which is merely illustrative of the present preferred embodiments, since the inventionis capable of other embodiments,'and the .phraseology employed isfor the purpose of description and not of limitati n Referring more particularly to the drawing there is disclosed a portion of a conventional vehicle door It with which a hinge I2 is associated to pivotally connect the door to the door post, not shown. As is likewise conventional, the hinge l2 includes a pair of spaced ears l3 fixed to and movable with the-door, and anear I4 fixed to the door post. e

Now of particular importance the mirror dece l5 constituting the subject matter of the resent invention includes a novel mounting It by means of which it maybe readily associated with the door hinge I2 in such a way that the mirror I! may be raised and lowered, movedto divers angular positions and also moved inwardly and outwardly relative to the vehicle door thus enabling an adjustment of the mirror to be in proper position for the eyes of a particular occupant of a vehicle whether that occupant be tall or short. Such adjustments are of considerable importance because proper rear vision is necessary to enable the operator of the vehicle to be acquainted at all times with any moving objects that may be present at the rear and/or to the side of his own vehicle.

This novel mounting l5 which may thus be advantageously associated with the vehicle comprises a cap |8 having a threaded bore l9 in a base section 20 thereof adapted te' receive a threaded head or screw portion 2| on the upper end of a pin 22 adapted to be inserted in the hinge |2 in place of the regular hinge pintle.

A bifurcated portion 23 on the cap |8 provides a pair of upstanding ears 24-and 25 having respectively a bore 26 and a threaded bore 21 for the receipt of a screw 28 which serves as a horizontal pivot connection between the pin 22 and an extensible support or arm 29 for the mirror.

Preferably, and as shown, sists of two telescopically associated members 30 and 3|, the member 3| being tubular and having a pinched portion 32 at one end thereof adapted to be inserted between the cars 24 and 25 of the cap to receive the pivot screw 28. A look washer 33 may advantageously be inserted on the screw 28 to prevent loosening thereof.

At the other end of the member 3| a threaded portion 34 is provided to receive a clamping nut 35 with a tapered bore. Longitudinal slots 35 in the threadedportion 34 permit the member 3| to be drawn in and firmly clamped to the associated telescoping member 38 when the nut 35 is tightened. In this manner, by merely tightening and untighte 'ng the clamping nut 35 the slidable member 38 and associated mirror may be moved inwardly and outwardly, and may be locked in any desired position; Likewise the mirror may be rotated on the longitudinal axis of thesupport 29 by merely turning the member in the tubular member 3|.

For associating the mirror H. with the member 30 of the extensible support 29 an advantageous substantially universal pivot connection 31 is utilized. Of importance, it is to be noted that the connection 31 is located eccentrically at the rear of the mirror. Hence, it is possible, as shown inFig. 2, to adjust the mirror to divers positions, relativeto the support and thus cover a wider held of vision than would otherwise be possible.

This advantageous universal connection 31, see Fig. 3, is achieved by forming an outwardly extending bulb portion 38 on the mirror casing 39, adapted to fit in a mating socket 40 in a head 50 4| on the free end of the slidable member 30. A yielding retaining washer 42 positioned on the inside of the bulb portion 38 and connected to the head 4| by a screw 43 serves to maintain the mirror l1 and the head 4| in universal relation. As shown, the peripheral portion 44 of the washer 42 is advantageously curved to correspond with the curvature of the bulb portion 38 and is formed with radial slots 45 to facilitate the rocking and rotating movement between the head and the mirror casing 39.

It is thus seen that when .the novel mirror device I5 is associated with the door hinge the ,mirror may be swung upwardly and downwardly on the horizontal pivot provided by the screw 28, as shown in Fig. 1 in full and dotted lines. Likewise it is seen that by adjusting the extensible support 29 the mirror may be moved inwardly and outwardly as well as upwardly and downwardly relative to the vehicle door. The lateral and pivotal adjustment of the mirror H on the support and the pivotal adjustment of the member 30 in the tubular member, together with the adjustments above reviewed result in a completely universal mounting for the mirror.

In order that the mirror may swing inwardly only firmly secured the support 29 connumber of pins of the hinge of the mirror mounting and outwardly with the door, a'portionfli of the pin 22 is corrugatedso that the pin engages in a firmer contact with the movable ear I3 than with the fixed ear l4. This is advantageous in that the mirror device is not in place but is automatically movable with the door so as not to interfere with the normal movement thereof. If desired, a set screw 41 may be provided to lock the pin to the cap and thus insure against the mirror device being jarred loose from its mounting. Also, if preferred the cap may be made integral with the pin,

It isto be especially noted, however, that because of the advantageous disclosed construction of the cap I8 and the pin 22 it is possible to readily adapt the mirror device |5 for association with hinges of various sizes as found in vehicles of different manufacture. For example, assume that the door hinge of the vehicle with which it is desired to associate the mirror'device |5 requires a hinge pintle the size of the pin 22 at the left in Fig. 4. It is then merely necessary to screw the threaded head portion 2| of the pin in the cap, knock out the regular hinge pintle and insert in its place the pin of the mirror device. If the hinge requires a smaller pintle, of a size corresponding to one of thetwo smaller pins 22a and 22b at the right in Fig. 4, then it is merely necessary to screw the pin of the proper size in the same cap l8. This interchangeable feature is made possible by forming all of the pins 22, 22a and 22b with a threaded head portion 2| of the same size.

Inasmuch as the door hinges of practically all automobiles, the vehicles with which the rear view mirror device l5 was especially designed for use, fall within a very limited number of standard sizes, a supply of three sizes of pins as shown is sufficient to render the device 5 readily adaptable for use with substantially any automobile of standard manufacture on the market today. While pins of three sizes are illustrated it will be appreciated that either a larger or a smaller may be supplied by the manu' facturer of -the mirror device l5.

With the. mirror device l5, therefore, it is possible for the manufacturerto make all the parts the exception of the hinge pins. This results in Y a considerable"manufacturing economy and lessens the amount of stock which a distributor must carry.

If desired, as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, a slightly modified hinge pin 48 may be utilized. The modified hinge pin 48 diflers from the pin 22 first described in the provision of a socket 49 in the upper end thereof. Because of this socket 49 it is possible to advantageously lock the cap |8 to the pin after the latter has been screwed therein, as when the hinge pin is inserted in the door hinge l2.

- Thus, with the modified construction when it is desired to associate the mirror device l5 with a hinge, a hinge pin of the proper size is first screwed into the cap i8. The pin 48 is then inserted in the upper hinge ear l3, and a wedge 50 placed between the cap ears 24 and 25 with the apex 5| thereof in the pin socket 49.

, The wedge 50 may then be hammered to drive the pin 48 through the hinge. The use of the wedge therefore, is seen to be advantageous in that it prevents disfiguring or breaking the cap ears during the inserting operation.

Moreover, and of particular importance, the

IS of the same size with wedge 50 engaging in the pin socket 49 during the hammering operation peens and spreads the upper end of the pin 48 to ,form stop keys 52, see Fig. 7, which extends between the cap ears 24 and 25 and over the cap base 20to thereby effectively lock the cap l8 and pin 48 together. With the modified pin, therefore, it isnot necessary to use the locking set screw 41 to prevent relative turning of. the cap and pin.

Instead of utilizing the special pins 22 or 48 as means for associating the mirror device IS with the door hinge I2 a clamping means 53, see Fig. 8, may be employed. With this means the same completely universal mounting of the mirror is achieved as in the construction first described.

This clamping means 53 includes a C clamp 54 having, as is conventional, an upper arm 55 and a lower arm 56 adapted to receive the door hinge l2 therebetween. As is also conventional a clamping screw 51-is provided in screw threaded relation with the lower arm 56, and which extends upwardly to engage with the lower end of the standard hinge pintle 58. A lock nut 59 may be provided on the clamping screw 51 to prevent inadvertent loosening thereof.

Of particular importance, however, it is to be noted that a connecting screw 60 is inserted in a bore 6| in the upper clamp arm to extend upwardly into the threaded bore l9 of the cap I 8. A head 62 on the screw and underlying the upper arm 55, is formed with a concavity or socket 53 therein adapted to receive the hinge pintle head 54. to thus firmly maintain the clamp 54 in association with the hinge l2 when the clamping screw 51 is tightened. This advantageous clamping means 53 by which the mirror l5 may be associated with a vehicle door hingeis thus seen to be interchangeable in the mirror mounting I6 with the special hinge pins 22 or 48.

Other variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions. of the improvements may be used without others. r a

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is: w

1. In a mounting for attachment to a vehicle door hinge, the combination of a supporting arm for a mirror or the like; a cap having a base with a threaded bore, adapted to interchangeably receive hinge pintles of divers sizes formed with threaded portions at the upper end thereof of uniform size; an ear on said cap, extending from said base; and pivot means for connecting said ear to said supporting arm.

2. In a mounting for attachment to a vehicle door hinge, the combination of. an extensible supporting arm for a mirror or the like, said supporting arm comprising a pair of telescopically associated members one of which is formed with a longitudinal slot and screwthreads at one end thereof; a clamping nut on said threaded end for threaded portion;

clamping said telescoping members relative to each other in divers adjusted positions; a pin adapted to serve as the pintle for the hinge of a vehicledoor, having a threaded portion at one end; means on said pin for locking the latter to the movable vpart of the hinge; a'cap having a base with a threaded bore for receiving said and a horizontal pivotal connection between said cap and said supporting arm whereby the supporting arm may be raised and lowered relative thereto.

3. ma mounting for attachment to a vehicle door hinge, the combination of a supporting arm for a mirror or the like; a cap having a base with a threaded bore; a pair of spaced ears on said cap, extending from said bore; means connecting said supporting arm to said cap between said ears; a screw adapted to be associated with said hinge, having a socket in the upper end and extending up into said bore; at least one projection on said upper end extending between said ears and overlying said base; and means for connecting said screw to said hinge.

4. In amounting for attachment to a vehicle door hinge, the combination of a supporting arm for a mirror or the like; a cap having a base with a threaded bore therein; an ear on said cap; a horizontal pivot connection between said supporting arm and said ear; a C clamp adapted to be secured to the hinge; and a screw on said clamp, having a threaded portion extending'into said threaded bore and having a head with a socket therein adapted to receive an end of the hinge pin.

5. In a mounting for attachment to a vehicle door hinge, the combination of a supporting arm for a mirror; a cap having a base with a threaded bore; an ear on said cap; means for pivotally connecting said supporting screw extending up into said threaded bore; and means for connecting said screw to the door hinge.

6. In a mounting for attachment to 'a vehicle door hinge, the combination for a mirror; a cap having a base with a threaded bore; a pair of spaced ears on said cap, extending upwardly from said bore; means between said ears for connecting said supporting arm to said cap; a pin adapted to serve as the pintle for said hinge; a threaded head on said pin, having a socket in the upper end and insertable in said bore, whereby a wedge may be inserted between said ears and in said socket to spread thehead and lock the latter to the cap.

7. In a mounting for attachment to a vehicle door hinge, the combination of a .pin adapted to serve as a pintle for the hinge of a vehicle door, having a threaded portion at one end thereof; a cap having a base with a threaded bore, for receiving said threaded portion; and a supporting arm for a mirror or the like, connected to and extending from said base. l l f DANIEL E. REED.

arm and said ear; a" 

